Caster and the like.



Patented Aug. 16,1910.

' Fig.7

WITNESSES TERS co. wnsnmcwn. n. c.

JOSEPH APPLEBY, OF ASTON, NEAR BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND.

GASTEB AND THE LIKE.

comes.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 16, 1910.

Application filed April l6, 1910. Serial No. 555,855.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH APPLEBY, a subject of Great Britain, residing at Aston, near Birmingham, England, have invented new and useful Improvements Relating to Casters and the Like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has for its object to provide improved casters or the like which while affording the requisite strength, durability, and freeness of action, are of light and simple construction and capable of being produced at small cost.

Referring to the accompanying sheet of explanatory drawings ;Figures 1 and 2 are respectively side elevation and vertical section of the socket portion of a caster constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 3 is an elevation of a rotatable spring bush which is employed within the socket and Fig. 4 is a vertical section showing the bush and socket together. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the roller yoke. Fig. 6 is a front elevation with socket and bush in section showing all the parts assembled. Fig.

7 illustrates by vertical section the application of the socket to a chair leg, and Fig. 8 is a similar view showing the yoke attached. Fig. 9 is a vertical section of a modified form of socket suitable more especially for use with metal bedsteads and the like. Fig. 10 is a vertical section showing a modified construction of the socket and bush.

The same reference letters in the difierent views indicate the same or similar parts.

In carrying this invention into effect a tubular metallic socket a is formed at 01 near its lower end with an enlargement b which provides an internal annular groove 0. It may also have secured to it a cup or plate d which is secured in any convenient manner, c. g. by gripping it between the enlargement b and an outwardly turned lip e. In casters for wooden furniture the upper end of the socket is formed with inwardly inclined teeth f which when the socket is placed in position can be expanded by means of a drift to engage the article with which the socket is used as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. In casters for metallic furniture (a. g. metal lie bedsteads, to the mounts or terminals of which the sockets are secured in the casting operations) the sockets are formed as shown in Fig. 9 with a closed upper extremity which prevents the metal from flowing into the interior of the socket. The method of securing the socket in position, however, forms no part of the present invention, both the devices above described being known.

'Within each socket is arranged a bush 9 provided with a longitudinal slit 7L. Preferably the bush is produced from sheet steel, but any other elastic metal may be used, sufficient space being left between the adjacent edges to provide a slit of the required width. At one end the bush is formed with an external lip 11 of suitable shape and diameter to occupy the groove 0 in the socket. The width of the slit is such as will enable the bush to contract sufliciently for the lip to pass the lower end of the socket, when the bush is inserted in position. 011 reaching the groove the lip springs into it and holds the bush in place. The external diameter of the bush is such that the latter can rotate freely in the socket, while the internal diameter is suitably proportioned to provide an adequate grip on the pintle j of the yoke 7a which carries the roller Z to retain the pintle in position when pressed into the bush, while enabling the pintle to be conveniently withdrawn by hand when required. The pintle and yoke are produced from metal parts in any ordinary manner.

Casters as above described are very simple in construction being characterized by the use of a Single element, (namely the bush aforesaid) for providing a rotatable and de tachable connection between the pintle of the yoke and the socket, and are consequently capable of being produced at smaller cost than similar devices involving two or more internal elements or bushes for the same purpose.

It will be observed that the lip and groove prevent longitudinal movement of the bush in either direction. Instead of a lip and groove, a plain parallel bush may be used, and a pair of internal shoulders we provided 011 the socket as shown in Fig. 10.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In casters and the like con'iprising a detachable yoke provided with a pintle, the combination comprising a socket, a spring bush rotatably arranged within the socket and adapted to detachably grip the pintle of the yoke, and means formed integrally with the socket whereby longitudinal move ment of the bush is prevented. without interfering with the rotatability of the same substantially as described.

2. In casters and the like comprising a detachable yoke provided with a pintle, the combination comprising a socket formed with an annular groove, and a rotatable spring bush adapted to engage the groove in the socket and detachably grip the pintle of the yoke substantially as described.

3. In casters and the like comprising a detachable yoke provided with a pintle, the combination comprising a socket formed with an annular groove, and a longitudinally slit rotatable spring bush provided with a lip for engaging the groove in the socket and adapted to detachably grip the pintle of the yoke substantially as described.

4-. In casters and the like comprising a detachable yoke provided with a pintle, the combination comprising a tubular socket. formed near its lower end with an enlargement providing an internal annular groove, and a longitudinally slit rotatable spring bush provided with a lip for engaging the groove in the socket and adapted to detachably grip the pintle of the yoke, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOSEPH APPLEBY.

Vitnesses JOHN MORGAN, HARRY DAVIS. 

